Discussions

Did you know that over 2/3rds of teenagers own cell phones in Canada? Many in elementary school.  
 
And that parents generally shell out for the monthly bills of $70 - $300? For the most part, the kids are not footing the bill?  
 
And that parents usually talk themselves into the fact that the cell phone is good for the Teen because of safety issues, and the teen usually sees it differently and uses it as a social network to be in touch contstantly with friends? (I'm here now...5 minutes later...I'm there now - 5 minutes later... what are you doing right now?)  
 
We've been down this road with our teens, but agreed with them to only pay the bare minimum of the contract and they foot the rest.  
Of course we caved when their paycheque was too low and they whined. But we kept a running total on the fridge, so they could see what they owed when they got a job.  
 
But when that contract was over, they were on their own (close to 18 years of age)..  
 
What has been your experience with teens and cell phones?